Founded in 2006, the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus (GIYC) advocates for Indigenous youth concerns and their full participation in policy-making, standard-setting and development of international law. The GIYC is made up of Indigenous youth from various States, organizations, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and provides training opportunities, networking and cultural exchange for Indigenous youth from throughout the world. The GIYC meets annually during the United Nations (UN) Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and other occasion if needed.

The full and effective participation of Indigenous youth as equal stakeholders within the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and other Indigenous rights mechanisms and organizations has a positive impact in the promotion of social covenants that eventually reflect themselves in legislation and public policy. The GIYC has developed and submitted statements voicing their concerns that have been successfully adopted into the work of the UN. In 2008, the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Secretariat recognized the GIYC as a working caucus.

If you are an Indigenous youth or an Indigenous youth organization and want to know more about the GIYC’s organizing for the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, please contact the GIYC GCG Representatives at: youth@wcip2014.org.